HOLYOKE - The St. Patrick’s Parade Committee will discuss public safety issues related to the March 20 parade on Friday with city, state and federal authorities.

The meeting is at noon at the Holyoke Lodge of Elks 902, at 250 Whitney Ave., committee spokesman Raymond H. Feyre said in a press release.

The public safety meeting for the 60th anniversary parade is just one of the activities keeping the committee busy ahead of the massive parade. Organizers claimed last year’s parade drew a crowd of 450,000.

The committee’s annual “love-in,” a gathering of committees from other communities set up to plan parade events, will be Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Wherehouse? restaurant on Lyman Street.

On March 19, the committee’s John F. Kennedy Award reception will honor this year’s winner, author David McCullough.

McCullough has twice won the Pulitzer Prize and also has won the National Book Award and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. His books include “Truman” and “John Adams.”

The reception is at 6 p.m. at The Delaney House, Route 5.

The JFK Award is presented annually to an American of Irish descent who has gained distinction in his or her profession. Last year’s recipient was Daniel M. Rooney, U.S. ambassador to Ireland and chairman of emeritus of the National Football League’s Pittsburgh Steelers.